Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Measurement of Liver Stiffness Using Atomic Force Microscopy Coupled with Polarization Microscopy
10:10

Measurement of Liver Stiffness Using Atomic Force Microscopy Coupled with Polarization Microscopy

Published on: July 20, 2022

Relationship between hepatic haemodynamics assessed by Doppler ultrasound and liver stiffness

Veronica Salvatore1, Alberto Borghi, Eugenia Peri

  • 1Department of Digestive Disease and Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy.

Digestive and Liver Disease : Official Journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver
|October 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Doppler ultrasound parameters, including hepatic and splenic artery resistance indexes and hepatic vein waveform, correlate with liver stiffness in hepatitis C patients. These non-invasive methods may offer similar information to Transient Elastography for assessing liver fibrosis.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

  • Chronic liver disease due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health concern.
  • Accurate assessment of liver stiffness is crucial for staging liver fibrosis and guiding treatment decisions.
  • Transient Elastography (TE) is a widely used non-invasive method for measuring liver stiffness, but Doppler ultrasonography offers additional hemodynamic insights.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between hepatic hemodynamics measured by Doppler ultrasonography and liver stiffness assessed by TE.
  • To evaluate the diagnostic performance of Doppler ultrasound parameters in predicting liver stiffness in patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease.

Main Methods:

  • One hundred consecutive patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease were included.
  • Doppler ultrasound parameters analyzed included hepatic artery resistance index (HARI), splenic artery resistance index (SARI), and hepatic vein waveform pattern.
  • Liver stiffness was measured using Transient Elastography (TE).

Main Results:

  • Both HARI and SARI showed a significant correlation with liver stiffness (p<0.0001).
  • HARI cut-off of 0.64 yielded 84.4% sensitivity and 69.1% specificity for predicting stiffness >13 kPa.
  • SARI cut-off of 0.56 yielded 81.3% sensitivity and 48.5% specificity. Combined HARI and SARI above cut-offs showed 78% accuracy for stiffness >13 kPa.
  • Hepatic vein waveform pattern (triphasic vs. bi-/monophasic) significantly differed in liver stiffness values (p=0.005).

Conclusions:

  • Doppler ultrasound parameters, specifically HARI, SARI, and hepatic vein waveform, provide valuable information regarding liver stiffness in HCV patients.
  • These non-invasive Doppler ultrasound assessments may serve as a complementary or alternative tool to TE for evaluating liver fibrosis in this population.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Three-Dimensional Digital Model for Early Diagnosis of Hepatic Fibrosis Based on Magnetic Resonance Elastography06:09

A Three-Dimensional Digital Model for Early Diagnosis of Hepatic Fibrosis Based on Magnetic Resonance Elastography

Published on: July 21, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan01:25

Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and FibroScan are valuable diagnostic tools in gastroenterology and hepatology, each with specific applications and techniques.
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug binding...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound01:19

Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound

To obtain accurate blood pressure measurements in clinical settings, especially when traditional methods are insufficient, healthcare professionals utilize the Doppler ultrasound technique. This method uses high-frequency sound waves to detect blood flow within the arteries, which is crucial for patients with conditions that complicate circulatory system assessment.
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment: